Additional Service Opportunities

ADDITIONAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

PROJECT HOPE

Project Hope is an annual outreach designed to serve schools and families, representing 4 school districts, before the new year begins. During the last weekend in August, churches adopt a neighborhood school to prepare the facility and grounds before students return. The next day, at 5 locations, Back-to-School Giveaways & Fairs provide a fun environment where students receive new shoes, backpacks, school supplies, and more!

SATURDAY SCHOOL WORK DAY

On Saturday, churches adopt a neighborhood public school to prepare the facilities for the upcoming year. Volunteers provide hundreds of hours of manpower by power washing, weeding, trimming, painting, cleaning, window washing and more! Churches receive a "wish list" from administrators and custodians, and they organize their volunteers to meet the need. Many of the maintenance tasks would otherwise fall on over-worked custodial staff or remain undone because of lack of resources. Each year the School Work Day proves to be full of joy, good relationships, and hard work!

SUNDAY BACK-TO-SCHOOL GIVEAWAY

The next day, 70 plus churches, organizations, and businesses partner together to serve children and families in need. Through our combined efforts in 2015, we made available 3,000 backpacks full of school supplies, 3,800 pairs of shoes, 3,000 pairs of socks, haircuts, face painting, inflatable games, and meals in five Kids’ Fairs in the Eugene, Springfield, and Junction City area.

After weeks and months of planning and preparation, volunteers arrive at the Kids’ Fair locations to begin setting up in the early afternoon. Shortly after, the line begins to form when children and families start to arrive at each location. While parents wait in line, kids freely play line games, have their faces painted, and play on inflatables supervised by cheerful volunteers. When the doors open, students choose their backpack and pair of shoes and socks. At the end of the line, they have the option of a free back-to-school haircut, provided by local hairdressers. Lastly, many local restaurants serve small meals to bring the Kids’ Fair to a close. It's a joyful day to serve with so many to show Jesus’ love by meeting practical needs of students headed back to school!